Five Spices To Warm You Up This Winter

Spice up your winter cooking with a dash of cinnamon, a sprinkle of nutmeg and a few cloves of garlic. Not only will they make your French toast or pumpkin soup all the more delicious, but they’ll also help warm you up from the inside out. Something we all need a bit of when the temperature drops. Here, five of the best ‘keep me warm’ spices to add to your grocery list this season.

1. Ginger

It’s the slightly spicy nature of ginger that makes it a cracker of a choice this winter. Not only will it warm you up by encouraging blood flow to the surface of the skin, but it will also help kick colds to kerb, assist in digestion and even fight allergies for you. Add it to some hot water with lemon and honey, or finely chop it and add it to everything from stir-frys to soups and smoothies.

2. Cinnamon

If you’re one of those perennially cold people who feels the chill no matter what the outside temperature, cinnamon is your go-to. Used in Ayurveda for centuries to help stimulate circulation and dry dampness in the body (the reason you feel cold to the bone), it also helps regulate blood sugar levels, making it a great option if you crave sweet treats. Add it to smoothies, salad dressings and sugar-free desserts.

3. Garlic

It’s the kitchen staple with stacks of health benefits, like antibacterial and antiviral properties (great for winter when colds are lurking) as well as the clever ability to kick start your circulation to warm you up from the inside out. You know how to use it, just make sure you do.

4. Cardamom

Suffering a chesty cough? It’s time to reach for the cardamom. This healing spice is in the same family as ginger, offering similar benefits as well as the ability to break down mucus. Add it to your morning chai tea or add the pods to your favourite curry recipe.

5. Nutmeg

Often forgotten in favour of cinnamon, this warming spice tastes delicious on everything from fruit to vegetables and Sunday morning’s pancakes. The benefit? It boasts antiviral properties and helps eliminate congestion in the chest, making it a great option for chilly winter days and nights.

Words by Yasemin Trollope, image used under license of Shutterstock.com

Yasemin Trollope is a health and beauty expert with over 10 years of experience in print and online media. She’s studied at IIN and believes that true health comes from listening to your body’s needs rather than following a script. Currently pregnant with her second child, she embraces wholefoods while occasionally indulging in Gelato Messina. Because life is about balance, right? You can follow her on Instagram @yaz_trollope.